Our Academy addresses employment - one of the biggest challenges for women returning to the community after prison. The goal of the Academy is to provide women with the resources that will move them out of poverty to transitional jobs and living wage employment. We are realistic about the challenges that women face in their employment journey. Our strategy is a step by step employment and educational process that moves women out of poverty to a living wage. The Academy provides a well-rounded approach to preparing women for the workforce by ensuring that women have access to keyboard and Microsoft Office training, Basic Computer Literacy and Internet Skills training. We provide employment mentoring, resume preparation, job search and online application assistance. On average, 25 women participate in employment activities daily.

We offer certification in ServSafe for food and environmental services thus increasing employment opportunities. Thus far, 5 women have received certifications. Certification in these jobs pay between $10 and $14 an hour. For many of our women this is their first job and the first step in moving out of poverty. Additionally, we have a well-developed network of partnerships that increase employment opportunities for women.

Education - at least a high school diploma - is key to employment that moves women to a living wage. teaches the weekly Adult Basic Education classes at the Academy. Once the women complete these classes, they move forward to work on their GED. Each woman is assigned a graduate student from LaSalle University to tutor them on an individual basis. Since 2012, 36 women have achieved their GED, 16 women enrolled in college and 3 woman graduated - 1 from LaSalle University and 2 women from Community College of Philadelphia.. Additionally, 3 women completed their Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) education.